we're back

In case you haven't noticed, we took some time away from the blog. What can we say, we've been very busy.

Since our last post, Mayor Dixon has announced the Pratt Street Initiative, and progress is already being made (more on that in a later post).

What else...?

The Downtown circulator service we worked to create will begin late in the summer. There was a contest to name the shuttle system and the winner will be announced in a few weeks.

We've also resolved dozens of issues, some big, some small, that are important to our members and Downtown property owners, we celebrated Kids Month and Downtown for the Holidays, advocated for improvements to the Historic Tax Credit, ate our way through the second annual Winter Restaurant Week, and hosted several networking events.

And there's more on tap. Stay tuned to this space for upcoming news about our new website design, the launch of a new media service, springtime events, and the release of the State of Downtown Report.

-Mike Evitts

downtown rental market

the zenith - one of downtown's newest appartment buildings (photo by mitro hood)

The national housing slowdown hasn't hurt residential growth here in Downtown. We gained roughly 1,000 new residents last year, and we predict that number will grow this year.

Demand for apartments, in particular, is very strong. Many buildings are currently 100% leased, and new properties just hitting the market are leasing fast.

According to an article by Aaron Cahall in today's Baltimore Examiner, last month 148 rentals listed through a multiple listing service were leased - up 180% over June of 2007.

This makes sense. Typically, rentals increase when it's tough going in the "for sale" market. Like squeezing a balloon, if things tighten on one end, they'll expand on the other.

We anticipate demand to continue to be strong and are keeping our eye on the supply of apartments. With existing buildings close to full occupancy there should to be new properties hitting the market. But, as we document in our 2007 / 2008 State of Downtown Report, there isn't a lot of new housing construction in the pipeline right now.

-Mike Evitts

green is the new blog

Right now everything is GREEN. However I am more inclined to agree with Kermit—it’s hard being green. I turn off my lights when I am not using them (at least when I remember), I recycle (however, I have no idea if the stuff I put in the specially marked trash can in my kitchen is actually recyclable, and I walk to work (most of the time). Aside from that, I really am unconcerned with the whole green wave.

I don’t buy green cosmetics, handbags, clothing, etc. etc. etc. I run the water the entire time I brush my teeth, I have already turned on the air conditioning, and I buy bottled water like it is going out of style. I may wear a size 5 shoe, but my carbon foot print is gargantuan.

Last week I went to look at an electric hybrid bus that could be the face of the new Downtown circulator. The Partnership and other agencies in the city are trying to fund a Downtown circulator that would be geared toward business professionals trying to get around the city.

In all honestly, I only went to look at the bus, because it was a nice day and I wanted to go for a walk. I mean it is a bus. How cool can it be?

No other city in the United States currently employs these buses; however New York City just purchased a small fleet of them, and for a good reason. It is clean, quiet, and surprisingly sleek for a public mode of transportation.

Although we are still in the planning phases, the idea that I might be able to jump on a shuttle bus Downtown and have lunch in Harbor East without paying a $15 dollar cab is pretty cool, and (dare I say it) GREEN.

-Faith